I'm a newbie in the telecom business. I work for a school district in South Carolina and during the hurricane the power went out at one of the schools that coincidentally has a Nortel norstar system. When I returned to work I found that all of the sets had reverted back to their out of the box default programming. Your videos have helped me significantly to bring everyone's sets back to relative normalcy. Keep those help videos coming!
Thank you Vincent. It's for people like you that I make these videos (it's certainly not for the Google ad revenue which is a joke). Glad I could help. :-)
Bought back happy memories of being a CATV engineer back in the UK, thanks for sharing! Ps my kit was pretty much the same as yours, I also had a gas detector for underground working.
Yeah, really a bummer NT had to go under because a few bad apples in top management. Options were amazing stuff. I only knew enough to be dangerous on them. I was more of a Norstar guy. 😄
their great in ham radio to check board voltages and such too. I don't personally do that kind of repair no but I have seen those meters used in ham radio. the area I tend to specialize in is receiving antennas, and I've made a few long wire antennas over the years but for hf reception. RJ45 is ethernet isn't it? that's what my network router uses.
this guy is seasoned with a successful telecom business in Canada, i sure hope nothing tragic happens to his company and negatively impacts his home countries economy!
Thanks a lot man! I'm getting ready to interview for an apprentice comm. tech. and this helps big time with gaining some knowledge of the tools of the trade. I interviewed once before and had no idea they were going to give me a tool bag and ask me to identify and give the uses for each tool... needless to say I didn't get that job. Once again, THANK YOU!
that's great Michael. I also have a playlist on this channel called "Telecom 101" you might get some useful info in there about VoIP and other standards. Good luck with that interview!
Did telecom 20+ years ago. Still have my Harris butt set along with my Progressive tone set, punch, can wrench. Miss playing around in Telco Terminals- crossing conversations was funny. Would bridge tip of one circuit and ring of another through the butt set and key it up. All the parties would be bridged... hilarious Sounded like a party line.
There's a couple items you might add; 1st, a can wrench (with 7/16 and 3/8 sockets) and 2nd, a booth wrench (5/32) with center security hole for working at the local phone company's D-Marc.
Just checking in again. Got into doing some ethernet wiring at home. I upgraded my FIOS service And had to run CAT6 from the terminal to my router. The ISP tech Terminated the RJ45s. From there I ran some patch cables with RJ45 plugs to rooms with keystone jacks. I did it because WIFI is flaky sometimes. I'd like to buy a crimp Tool but I dont really do telecom/ Data anymore.
In India Krone IDC modules and krone Punch down tool used generally,Telecom operator and ISP use different tool and modules at switch side, but its always Krone at Field side.
We used the banana's a lot in the old days to locate pair's in paper insulated cables back in the 1980s and 90s . I was an E&I cable splicer / telephone linesmen in the U.S.A.F for 15 year's . Thanks for the memories.
I agree 100% on all your choices. As a systems admin for going on a year now, this is identical to my tool kit, with a few other additions specific to networks, but basically the same thing. I think for the price of cable testers, i'd put it in my must have list.. you can get a decent one for about $20 and they save a lot of time. I use my Leatherman Wave and flashlight the most, followed by a cheepo technicians screwdriver... There have been a lot of times that I need to use the small screw driver to pry a bad punch on a single line... and it usually is the most difficult one to get to and would be impossible if you only had your fingers. but those are things I have on me at all times anyway. If you really get heavy into installing network cables for networks or VoIP then a cable certifier is nice to have, but they are extremely expensive and thats really specific to doing network admin/install type stuff, not something for telco.
Love the use of a velco cable tie to secure the crimping tool, I do the same thing - saves you getting cut on the cutting blade when searching around in your tool kit. I learnt that the hard way. I'd also add [good quality] masking tape to the list for labelling, grouping removed screws, all sorts.
ALSO MUST HAVES.... Needle-nose pliers, 3/8" 7/16" orange "can wrench", scotchlok crimpers, container for a bunch of scotchloks, a yellow spudger, a "banjo" in-line adaptor, and diagonal cutters or "dikes" for more heavy duty cuts than the shears can do. And butt sets will never go out of style! How else will you listen in on calls for the NSA?
spm204 thanks for commenting. (and the valuable points about our covert work for the NSA - Shhhh!). Yep, I need to get a banjo. I've been doing a poor-mans version of the banjo by using the guts I pulled out of a RJ-48 - you know just the receptacle and the individual screw-down wires.
The Nortel Guy why they using fiber instead of copper because its faster but not saffer plz send me your whattsapp contact heres mine 0096- 0559061348 k.s.a
Oh yeah, add needle nose pliers that have multiple functions, such as wire cutters, wires strippers (for 22 gauge) and 3M Scotch Lock crimps built in. Really handy tool to have.
good points Frank. I actually have a secondary tool box I keep on the truck for lesser-used items like those you mentioned. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Hey Nortel Guy. Also included should be a cable fault locator, LCD example Metrohm , Spirent , Megger or Biccotest (distance meters) , a drill , normal and or cordless , 3m probe , Krone probe. Krone is pronounced Kroner by the way. But as we know copper is fading away but for internal networking you still need those tools.
yes Christopher, I heard that's true about the Canada. I only run into BIX about 5% of the time here in the U.S. Thanks for watching and commenting. :-)
Hey, Steve, I have a question. Fairly new to telecom work. I have extreme problems at a 66 block getting a dial tone with a butt set. I've resorted to using one of those Testar appliances that have a connector for 2 pins on a 66 block on one end and an RJ11 port for a cheap Vtech phone on the other. I thought I might have a defective butt set and returned it to the factory for another and got the same problem, so it isn't the butt set. I know the two clips on a butt set can't touch each other when you connect to the pins on a 66 block, but how much time does it take to keep moving and twisting the clip into differing positions on the 66 block pins to break through the static and get a dial tone? It almost never works for me; I can sometimes get lucky and get a dial tone, but the Testar appliance always works.
Most quality butt sets come with them. Many toners do too. They aren't completely necessary, but they can make your life easier if you have room in your bag.
the common convention is to run two cable to every workstation location. This is more of a commercial idea than for residences. But, in any case, the intention is that the cat3 would be for your phone and the cat5e would be for your computer. Either is fine for phone. Good question. :)
More than likely, the jack is also a splice point where you have 1 cat5 coming in, and 2 leaving to serve other jacks in the house. This wiring method is called "daisy chain" and is the preferred method for those who cut corners. It's also the most difficult to isolate problems with especially if your not familiar with how the wiring was ran.
Ha the only thing I did not see is a drop chain for pulling wire. It really makes you mad when you don t have one. I like it because you can use your magnet and hear it in the wall. I also found that I buy the good six-foot leads from fluke. But I like to use a cheap meter. which gives me probes and alligator clips. I also in my trade carry simple alligator jumpers. Now since I have the better meter leads, I use them instead. Funny how you evolve to carry multipurpose tools. I really like the banjo connector for testing. Things have really changed over the years. Especially since the analogue lines are phasing out. Now I work with more cell units than ever. Which you still need some of the old school things to make it easier. I really miss the old lines as shocking as they were. They always had to call when working on an old demark. I carry many of the tools you have. Now I have things broken down into zip pouches. Then I can grab the color specific bag that has that particular gear I need. It also keeps from overloading the tool bag on the go. I never in my trade seem to need the same set of tools. This has helped me a lot. I see the new back packs for carrying tools. I am sure like you I do not need all that stuff every time. It seems like it would get really heavy. My regular bag is heavy enough. The coupler on your tone generator can be very useful. I often carry a 25 ft cable to plug in for testing. Who wants to work right on top of a patch panel or junction box. It also used to test my equipment for correct reading. I have had leads fail on my meter. Good to test before you start. I really like your setup. Do you have anything you recommend for voice over IP.
LOVE GTE. A few of my mentors were old GTE guys (DFW area). Yeah, that good ol Punch tool finally gave up the ghost about a year ago (2017). I'd had it since like 2000. Went to get a new one, but I guess Harris sold that unit out to Fluke. So, I bought the Fluke one. Seems pretty good, but it's early. Thanks for the comments!
The Nortel Guy I rock a fluke pounh down now. I'd take that Harris back any day. they just made things a little better back in the day. I like what you did with the jumper wire Making it a more compact version .
oh, that mini-roll of jumper? Thanks. You can probably appreciate this - unless you're doing an install or a bunch of MAC's, you usually only need 6-8 feet of wire on any given site visit.
Great video, especially for newbies. And me, I love seeing what others carry! I have a three tier tool box now... I agree a butt set not necessity but when testing lines for Fire and Security Systems it still helps, of course now we're trying to get everything converted to cellular. The only reason I have so many tool boxes is because we do fire, security, surveillance, card access, data networking, telephone, fiber optics, wireless antennas, and coax. so where I work we need specialized tools for a little bit of everything and we all install the Cable relating to these items as well. I miss doing just Telcom 😔 😆 ... I noticed a comment about buying tools.. I've never had the luxury of working for a company who buys the employees tools. I've heard of it but nowadays that is the exception not the rule. sure would be nice though. I've been doing this since 1995. How long have you been doing this? You seem very knowledgeable. Like you, I only carry about 5 or 6 main tools on average though 😊
Hey, great Comments! I'm right there with you! I started in 93. I've bounced back-n-forth between IT and Telecom all during the first 15 years until they finally became the same field. You're in a great spot because a good field tech who can effectively troubleshoot infrastructure is always going to be in demand. Pencil-neck IT guys are a little more easy to come by. ;-)
One more thing. You might be interested in a couple of my other channels: ua-cam.com/users/DIYTelecom and ua-cam.com/users/uplinktechnologies (aka: ua-cam.com/users/networkadvisor). I think you may have a lot to add there. I will go scope out your channel now.
Hi, i'm thinking of a major in telecom or information systems. Which one do you think is in higher demand/better for the future? Are you satisfied in the telecom industry?
I find Telecom to be a little more in short supply in our world today. IT pros are all over the place - easy to find. However, you really SHOULD choose a field because you think you will enjoy it. The reason this is so important is that you in order to be GREAT, and not just average, you have to really enjoy your trade. GREAT techs, Designers, or Managers will allways be in demand regardless of how crowed the field is. Do I like Telecom? I like more since it's become more digitized. The old days of copper-intensive systems, could be a drag at times.
Here, you might find this video interesting. It's a series I've stated for people considering entering the Network-telecom trade. It was targeted for technicians, but even PhD candidates would find it useful. ua-cam.com/video/Rt3TBqChhFM/v-deo.html
+sumer fattoum most of us break into this business by pulling cable. Then we graduate up to cable termination and then later into networking or PBX installation.
You also forgot your Siemens Mini block tool, and maybe even the Quante tool. Then there are the 3M probe, Krone probe, and most valuable your slide!! (Spirent TDR)
The Nortel Guy How on earth do you locate faults without a slide? As I said, my most valuable tool, gives me location to within 5 metres, used in conjunction with our digital mapping system (on my laptop), I can drive/walk to the fault every time! SA Telkom rocks!!
Lol british guy here, i'm an electrician but do lots of data and telecomms... the only major faux pas i have found so far, is 'metric or english'. English IS metric... England has been metric since the late 60s ;) Most jumper wire here is yellow/blue-blue/yellow...
Great video. Very informative. I was curious why you don't recommend a label printer over a sharpie? Granted, a sharpie is lower cost, but you get much better durability, and readability out of a label printer (not to mention extreme time savings for batch cable/panel labeling, and saving yourself some writers cramps). We have dealers able to get you a demo printer now, if you are interested. Check out our latest video on the LW-PX900 to see what it can do to help you save time and money. Again, great video and keep up the excellent work.
I don't even use a punch down tool.. Once you get the touch just put cap on top of jack and squeeze, use your mini cable cutters to cut ends to avoid an inspector picking that up
Never liked using scissors, wire cutters were easier for me. Used my thumbnail to strip back the sheathing when installing jacks. Started in the business in '85. Analog test set was the number one tool then. Hang one of those on your belt loop and you could go anywhere in a business you wanted too, no questions asked.
Right.? Hard hat, clipboard, and a lineman’s butt set would get you into almost any space. I even had a service call one time where by the the time I had made it into the server room (MDF), I found out I was at the wrong place. How scary is that?. 😄
The Nortel Guy Funny thing us, I used to work for Nortel for 12 years and the only tools in this video that I used was the digital multimeter and the electricians scissors/snips on a daily basis. We used the snips mainly to cut lacing cord used to secure cables to a ladder rack.
Toe tags. You need to label your work. It’s not always possible to write clearly on a cable or punch down block. 25 years ago I had a job which used BIX on a new SL/1 install so I carry all 4 punch down blades just in case. 66, 110, Krone, and Bix.
Wiss 7" snips as well as Stanley. They look like scissors but handle everything from cutting zip ties, wires, as well as fabric. Inexpensive at Home Depot too. Approx. $13.99.
No strippers (snips aren't always the best for stripping especially outer jackets), no can wrench, no needle nose pliers, no spudger (how do you remove your mistakes when you punch down), basic tool assortment? You are missing a lot of vital tools that are important for every install. You must spend more time in an office instead of doing field work, because if you were doing field installs your tool kit would be far different as would your "top 5".
I'm a newbie in the telecom business. I work for a school district in South Carolina and during the hurricane the power went out at one of the schools that coincidentally has a Nortel norstar system. When I returned to work I found that all of the sets had reverted back to their out of the box default programming. Your videos have helped me significantly to bring everyone's sets back to relative normalcy. Keep those help videos coming!
Thank you Vincent. It's for people like you that I make these videos (it's certainly not for the Google ad revenue which is a joke). Glad I could help. :-)
Bought back happy memories of being a CATV engineer back in the UK, thanks for sharing! Ps my kit was pretty much the same as yours, I also had a gas detector for underground working.
Former Opt 81C/Opt 11 tech, enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Miss working on the old Opt series. RIP Nortel ACDs.
Yeah, really a bummer NT had to go under because a few bad apples in top management. Options were amazing stuff. I only knew enough to be dangerous on them. I was more of a Norstar guy. 😄
their great in ham radio to check board voltages and such too. I don't personally do that kind of repair no but I have seen those meters used in ham radio. the area I tend to specialize in is receiving antennas, and I've made a few long wire antennas over the years but for hf reception. RJ45 is ethernet isn't it? that's what my network router uses.
this guy is seasoned with a successful telecom business in Canada, i sure hope nothing tragic happens to his company and negatively impacts his home countries economy!
Thanks a lot man! I'm getting ready to interview for an apprentice comm. tech. and this helps big time with gaining some knowledge of the tools of the trade. I interviewed once before and had no idea they were going to give me a tool bag and ask me to identify and give the uses for each tool... needless to say I didn't get that job. Once again, THANK YOU!
that's great Michael. I also have a playlist on this channel called "Telecom 101" you might get some useful info in there about VoIP and other standards. Good luck with that interview!
Did telecom 20+ years ago. Still have my Harris butt set along with my Progressive tone set, punch, can wrench. Miss playing around in Telco
Terminals- crossing conversations was funny. Would bridge tip of one circuit and ring of another through the butt set and key it up. All the parties would be bridged... hilarious
Sounded like a party line.
Wow John - thanks for giving me a new sinister idea. Hahahaha. That’s pretty cool. 😁
What about the bag you keep the tools in?
I have the exact same tool! it's good to know i have a master Telecom tool kit!
+Lex Martin Rey sounds like you got it figured out. It's all just years of experience and learning what works best. :-)
Now getting into this business and this video has been very helpful. Thanks Nortel guy. Keep up the videos.
There's a couple items you might add; 1st, a can wrench (with 7/16 and 3/8 sockets) and 2nd, a booth wrench (5/32) with center security hole for working at the local phone company's D-Marc.
I would add some string and plastic cups
I got a harris TS22 on ebay for $15 a while back.
Just checking in again. Got into doing some ethernet wiring at home. I upgraded my FIOS service
And had to run CAT6 from the terminal to my router. The ISP tech
Terminated the RJ45s. From there I ran some patch cables with RJ45 plugs to rooms with keystone jacks.
I did it because WIFI is flaky sometimes. I'd like to buy a crimp
Tool but I dont really do telecom/
Data anymore.
Krone punchdown is heavily used in Europe and Australia, we dont use 66's, on phone networks, data networks though, 110 is mostly used
That's really interesting. Thanks for sharing that information. :-)
In India Krone IDC modules and krone Punch down tool used generally,Telecom operator and ISP use different tool and modules at switch side, but its always Krone at Field side.
Nice setup, here is what I carry with me on jobs.
Voice and data toolbag
We used the banana's a lot in the old days to locate pair's in paper insulated cables back in the 1980s and 90s . I was an E&I cable splicer / telephone linesmen in the U.S.A.F for 15 year's . Thanks for the memories.
Jose, didn't those banana probes have metal tips? that wasn't an issue on the 66 blocks? (shorting?)
I agree 100% on all your choices. As a systems admin for going on a year now, this is identical to my tool kit, with a few other additions specific to networks, but basically the same thing. I think for the price of cable testers, i'd put it in my must have list.. you can get a decent one for about $20 and they save a lot of time. I use my Leatherman Wave and flashlight the most, followed by a cheepo technicians screwdriver... There have been a lot of times that I need to use the small screw driver to pry a bad punch on a single line... and it usually is the most difficult one to get to and would be impossible if you only had your fingers. but those are things I have on me at all times anyway. If you really get heavy into installing network cables for networks or VoIP then a cable certifier is nice to have, but they are extremely expensive and thats really specific to doing network admin/install type stuff, not something for telco.
I am surprised that you didn't mention an insulated cable pick. Good for removing cables from incorrectly punched cables or for moves.
Is that the same as a “boog pick”? That kind of pencil-shaped tool made of plastic with the little hooks at each end.
Love the use of a velco cable tie to secure the crimping tool, I do the same thing - saves you getting cut on the cutting blade when searching around in your tool kit. I learnt that the hard way. I'd also add [good quality] masking tape to the list for labelling, grouping removed screws, all sorts.
Instead of masking tape, go for gaffers tape. You'll thank me later.
Is there such a thing as a dsl buttset?
Almost complete tools Nortel Guys ..thanks for sharing..
ALSO MUST HAVES.... Needle-nose pliers, 3/8" 7/16" orange "can wrench", scotchlok crimpers, container for a bunch of scotchloks, a yellow spudger, a "banjo" in-line adaptor, and diagonal cutters or "dikes" for more heavy duty cuts than the shears can do. And butt sets will never go out of style! How else will you listen in on calls for the NSA?
spm204 thanks for commenting. (and the valuable points about our covert work for the NSA - Shhhh!). Yep, I need to get a banjo. I've been doing a poor-mans version of the banjo by using the guts I pulled out of a RJ-48 - you know just the receptacle and the individual screw-down wires.
Gotta have a banjo.. I lost mine and have to cut a phone line and attach my clips to the red/black cable to register my ONT
The Nortel Guy why they using fiber instead of copper because its faster but not saffer plz send me your whattsapp contact heres mine 0096- 0559061348 k.s.a
Cable fishing reel / rods. Roll of string with a round weight on the end.
No need to waste money on a banjo adaptor... When you can just get a cheap lit cord.
Oh yeah, add needle nose pliers that have multiple functions, such as wire cutters, wires strippers (for 22 gauge) and 3M Scotch Lock crimps built in. Really handy tool to have.
good points Frank. I actually have a secondary tool box I keep on the truck for lesser-used items like those you mentioned. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting!
Hi im studying this right now. It is a 2 years diploma program i cant wait to graduate :)
Hey Nortel Guy. Also included should be a cable fault locator, LCD example Metrohm , Spirent , Megger or Biccotest (distance meters) , a drill , normal and or cordless , 3m probe , Krone probe. Krone is pronounced Kroner by the way. But as we know copper is fading away but for internal networking you still need those tools.
Noortel guy i heard that cooper cable work will be use again is that true
How can i learn technician tellecom in bangaladesh
Great Video The BIX blade is a #1 standard up here in Manitoba Canada.
yes Christopher, I heard that's true about the Canada. I only run into BIX about 5% of the time here in the U.S. Thanks for watching and commenting. :-)
Im Glad 95% of Bix blocks wound up north
Hey, Steve, I have a question. Fairly new to telecom work. I have extreme problems at a 66 block getting a dial tone with a butt set. I've resorted to using one of those Testar appliances that have a connector for 2 pins on a 66 block on one end and an RJ11 port for a cheap Vtech phone on the other. I thought I might have a defective butt set and returned it to the factory for another and got the same problem, so it isn't the butt set. I know the two clips on a butt set can't touch each other when you connect to the pins on a 66 block, but how much time does it take to keep moving and twisting the clip into differing positions on the 66 block pins to break through the static and get a dial tone? It almost never works for me; I can sometimes get lucky and get a dial tone, but the Testar appliance always works.
I used to work for ntl in the uk. cable/telecoms. I lost my tools due to theft. I had all those tools. our punch down was all krone or poyet.
Gee Mate, thats a bummer. Never heard of Poyet. I have to go look that up. thanks for commenting. :)
What about a banjo adapter? Do you have any videos explaining these? Thanks.
Most quality butt sets come with them. Many toners do too. They aren't completely necessary, but they can make your life easier if you have room in your bag.
I have been running into internet phone systems called voice over ip.
Frank, VoIP (voice over IP) is the future. The cost savings and rich features make the conversion from traditional service an easy decision. :)
Hey, I already have a few of those tools .... thanks for making this video!
I have a FLUKE TS44 Deluxe I want to sell. I literally have no use for it. How and where do I get rid of it?
Ebay
agreed, Ebay. Good luck! :)
Thank you so much dude, God bless
How heavy is this bag if you have ever weighed it? Though you may have upgraded by now.
yep, those would be good too. I don't run into the cans much. And technically, I 'm not supposed to be in there ;-).
Thanks for watching and posting.
whywhould there be 3 cat 5e cables running to a phone jack in my house?
the common convention is to run two cable to every workstation location. This is more of a commercial idea than for residences. But, in any case, the intention is that the cat3 would be for your phone and the cat5e would be for your computer.
Either is fine for phone. Good question. :)
More than likely, the jack is also a splice point where you have 1 cat5 coming in, and 2 leaving to serve other jacks in the house. This wiring method is called "daisy chain" and is the preferred method for those who cut corners. It's also the most difficult to isolate problems with especially if your not familiar with how the wiring was ran.
Ha the only thing I did not see is a drop chain for pulling wire. It really makes you mad when you don t have one. I like it because you can use your magnet and hear it in the wall. I also found that I buy the good six-foot leads from fluke. But I like to use a cheap meter. which gives me probes and alligator clips. I also in my trade carry simple alligator jumpers. Now since I have the better meter leads, I use them instead. Funny how you evolve to carry multipurpose tools. I really like the banjo connector for testing. Things have really changed over the years. Especially since the analogue lines are phasing out. Now I work with more cell units than ever. Which you still need some of the old school things to make it easier. I really miss the old lines as shocking as they were. They always had to call when working on an old demark. I carry many of the tools you have. Now I have things broken down into zip pouches. Then I can grab the color specific bag that has that particular gear I need. It also keeps from overloading the tool bag on the go. I never in my trade seem to need the same set of tools. This has helped me a lot. I see the new back packs for carrying tools. I am sure like you I do not need all that stuff every time. It seems like it would get really heavy. My regular bag is heavy enough. The coupler on your tone generator can be very useful. I often carry a 25 ft cable to plug in for testing. Who wants to work right on top of a patch panel or junction box. It also used to test my equipment for correct reading. I have had leads fail on my meter. Good to test before you start. I really like your setup. Do you have anything you recommend for voice over IP.
Love the Harris punch down my favorite.
Good info . My uncle was a old GTE guy
Got in the trade early learned from old school phone system techs.
LOVE GTE. A few of my mentors were old GTE guys (DFW area). Yeah, that good ol Punch tool finally gave up the ghost about a year ago (2017). I'd had it since like 2000. Went to get a new one, but I guess Harris sold that unit out to Fluke. So, I bought the Fluke one. Seems pretty good, but it's early.
Thanks for the comments!
The Nortel Guy I rock a fluke pounh down now. I'd take that Harris back any day. they just made things a little better back in the day. I like what you did with the jumper wire
Making it a more compact version .
oh, that mini-roll of jumper? Thanks. You can probably appreciate this - unless you're doing an install or a bunch of MAC's, you usually only need 6-8 feet of wire on any given site visit.
I don't see the velcro
Great video, especially for newbies. And me, I love seeing what others carry! I have a three tier tool box now... I agree a butt set not necessity but when testing lines for Fire and Security Systems it still helps, of course now we're trying to get everything converted to cellular. The only reason I have so many tool boxes is because we do fire, security, surveillance, card access, data networking, telephone, fiber optics, wireless antennas, and coax. so where I work we need specialized tools for a little bit of everything and we all install the Cable relating to these items as well. I miss doing just Telcom 😔 😆 ... I noticed a comment about buying tools.. I've never had the luxury of working for a company who buys the employees tools. I've heard of it but nowadays that is the exception not the rule. sure would be nice though. I've been doing this since 1995. How long have you been doing this? You seem very knowledgeable. Like you, I only carry about 5 or 6 main tools on average though 😊
Hey, great Comments! I'm right there with you! I started in 93. I've bounced back-n-forth between IT and Telecom all during the first 15 years until they finally became the same field. You're in a great spot because a good field tech who can effectively troubleshoot infrastructure is always going to be in demand. Pencil-neck IT guys are a little more easy to come by. ;-)
One more thing. You might be interested in a couple of my other channels: ua-cam.com/users/DIYTelecom and ua-cam.com/users/uplinktechnologies (aka: ua-cam.com/users/networkadvisor). I think you may have a lot to add there.
I will go scope out your channel now.
Hi, i'm thinking of a major in telecom or information systems. Which one do you think is in higher demand/better for the future? Are you satisfied in the telecom industry?
also interested in this
@the nortel guy
I doubt he'll ever answer.
I find Telecom to be a little more in short supply in our world today. IT pros are all over the place - easy to find. However, you really SHOULD choose a field because you think you will enjoy it.
The reason this is so important is that you in order to be GREAT, and not just average, you have to really enjoy your trade. GREAT techs, Designers, or Managers will allways be in demand regardless of how crowed the field is.
Do I like Telecom? I like more since it's become more digitized. The old days of copper-intensive systems, could be a drag at times.
Here, you might find this video interesting. It's a series I've stated for people considering entering the Network-telecom trade. It was targeted for technicians, but even PhD candidates would find it useful.
ua-cam.com/video/Rt3TBqChhFM/v-deo.html
cool vid..thanx..and now the question is how can a beginner man get a job in this field
+sumer fattoum most of us break into this business by pulling cable. Then we graduate up to cable termination and then later into networking or PBX installation.
+sumer fattoum you might try looking on field nation.com. That website tends to have lots of beginner level gigs.
thank you the Nortel Guy
You also forgot your Siemens Mini block tool, and maybe even the Quante tool. Then there are the 3M probe, Krone probe, and most valuable your slide!! (Spirent TDR)
John Jones Wow, learn something new everyday. Thanks for watching, thanks for commenting.
The Nortel Guy
How on earth do you locate faults without a slide? As I said, my most valuable tool, gives me location to within 5 metres, used in conjunction with our digital mapping system (on my laptop), I can drive/walk to the fault every time! SA Telkom rocks!!
Just for giggles, do you still have a wire wrap tool?
Ha! You know, I actually never owned one of those. I have seen them laying around in the switch rooms though. Thanks for watching James
The only thing I’d like to add is a can wrench, a banjo, and a metal and plastic pick.
great points Jose. these days I do have an 8 position banjo and a plastic pick. But, I still don’t have a can wrench. 😀
8:10 We telecom lineworkers call them snips; not little scissors. the notches strip 19 and 22 gauge wire.
Well thanks for pointing that out! :-)
Lol british guy here, i'm an electrician but do lots of data and telecomms... the only major faux pas i have found so far, is 'metric or english'. English IS metric... England has been metric since the late 60s ;) Most jumper wire here is yellow/blue-blue/yellow...
Great video. Very informative. I was curious why you don't recommend a label printer over a sharpie? Granted, a sharpie is lower cost, but you get much better durability, and readability out of a label printer (not to mention extreme time savings for batch cable/panel labeling, and saving yourself some writers cramps). We have dealers able to get you a demo printer now, if you are interested. Check out our latest video on the LW-PX900 to see what it can do to help you save time and money.
Again, great video and keep up the excellent work.
that's both of my bags, work and home:)
Now a days I use my fiber optic kit probably 70% of the time now.... (4 year telecom field technician)
I don't even use a punch down tool.. Once you get the touch just put cap on top of jack and squeeze, use your mini cable cutters to cut ends to avoid an inspector picking that up
66 blocks and 110 blocks don't have caps like the jacks do, I was wondering you don't get a lot of intermittent troubles doing that?
Sounds moronic to me... Just use a punch tool.🤣
Clearly you don't sweep test or perform certification. You'd fail. And I've never seen a cable not properly punched down that would pass a sweep.
excellent ! thanks
Never liked using scissors, wire cutters were easier for me. Used my thumbnail to strip back the sheathing when installing jacks. Started in the business in '85. Analog test set was the number one tool then. Hang one of those on your belt loop and you could go anywhere in a business you wanted too, no questions asked.
Right.? Hard hat, clipboard, and a lineman’s butt set would get you into almost any space. I even had a service call one time where by the the time I had made it into the server room (MDF), I found out I was at the wrong place. How scary is that?. 😄
KRONE is the most common in the UK
Keep krone in the UK, 66 blocks work all day in the US
Thank you
I like it
Thanks
I’m a service tech in the Fire & Security business and I use every one of the tools in this video every day.
hi MacKane, good to hear from you. any special tools you folks use on that trade that only particular to the fire/burg industry?
The Nortel Guy
Funny thing us, I used to work for Nortel for 12 years and the only tools in this video that I used was the digital multimeter and the electricians scissors/snips on a daily basis. We used the snips mainly to cut lacing cord used to secure cables to a ladder rack.
paint brush to dust off dirty surfaces.....
yep, I keep a 2" on the truck for that. very handy when opening up POS registers which tend to be caked with dust.
Agree! I have them too!
Toe tags. You need to label your work. It’s not always possible to write clearly on a cable or punch down block.
25 years ago I had a job which used BIX on a new SL/1 install so I carry all 4 punch down blades just in case. 66, 110, Krone, and Bix.
yes, agreed that good labels are handy. I hate writing directly on the cable. :-)
thank you from 2020
Hahahah 😆😆😆. Yeah, that’s getting to be pretty old. I should make anew one. 😁
@@thenortelguy yeah, please do! maybe some punch down how to, Ra's, Sac's etc. SUB'D!!!!
If you’re into that stuff, check out my other channels. UA-cam/diytelecom and UA-cam/networkadvisor
SNIPS!!!
how about "Linemans' scissors" ? :-P
The Nortel Guy I’ll meet you halfway and go with “lineman’s snips”. A must have! Probably use my snips and buttset more than anything else.
Wiss 7" snips as well as Stanley. They look like scissors but handle everything from cutting zip ties, wires, as well as fabric. Inexpensive at Home Depot too. Approx. $13.99.
a good field technician doesn't need all that to do his job. all you need is the basic tools and resourcefulness.
Well, thanks for the advice. What's in your tool bag? ;-)
probably just a 10 in 1 HAHA
You must get paid hourly by people who don't care about effeciency
Thanks imbecile!
Thanks Steve here my bag: ua-cam.com/video/EswSIhafG7k/v-deo.html
cool, let's go check it out! thanks Chuck! :-)
that was great Chuck, thanks for sharing!
the proper terminology is snips, not scissors.
It does scissors on the package... I've always called them snips.
No strippers (snips aren't always the best for stripping especially outer jackets), no can wrench, no needle nose pliers, no spudger (how do you remove your mistakes when you punch down), basic tool assortment? You are missing a lot of vital tools that are important for every install. You must spend more time in an office instead of doing field work, because if you were doing field installs your tool kit would be far different as would your "top 5".
Ok, thank you for the helpful comments. I am sure they will help others. 😊
Krone....pronounced kroona...more or less....
master tech my ass.